“Always a great mix of information, presentations and speakers” – survey respondent.
The 2017 survey of Community Care stakeholders gave strong endorsement to the role of WSCF in providing resources, support and sector engagement for aged care and disability providers in Western Sydney and the Nepean. Specifically, the survey related to providers funded under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the Community Care Supports Program (CCSP). Feedback provided anonymously by participants gave insight into the focus, balance and relevance of the work of WSCF, in supporting aged and disability providers, which helps to direct development of priorities and initiatives for the future.
The type of service provided by survey participants include essential home-based services – such as social support for individuals and groups; transport and specialized support; personal care; domestic assistance and providing meals. Survey participants are drawn from across the Western Sydney and Nepean regions – including Cumberland, The Hills, Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury, as well as some trans-regional members.
The survey outcomes reflect positively on WSCF’s role in supporting aged and disability providers. WSCF’s proactive role in broaching knowledge gaps relating to industry change, and in fostering an avenue of constructive collaboration for attendees, was widely noted. Feedback from the survey also indicated a need for ongoing access to information regarding changes to the sector, related resources and broader training opportunities – including a webinar option for service providers in more remote areas.
Survey highlights:
- Of those surveyed, over 92% responded that WSCF makes a positive contribution to leading and shaping social policy and service delivery in Greater Western Sydney.
- Over 90% of respondents said the level of information provided by WSCF was reasonable or significant
“….the information that is provided is relevant, topical, important and what the people need to know who work with people affected by these reforms every day”
- Over 75% of participants who engaged with WSCF training said that it had made a difference to the way they did their job.
- 73% of participants valued the opportunities that were created through the Forum events for networking, information sharing and updates, training and resources.
- 100% of respondents rated WSCF’s support of local Community Care forums as good or very good.
“[the Regional Development Officer] has been a very good communicator in providing information to a variety of workers/health staff/NGO’s regarding all the changes that have occurred via MAC/CHSP/RAS/NDIS and how this affects all our services, as well as clients/carers”.
- Over 92% of managers who attended WSCF’s Western Sydney/Nepean Community Care Manager’s Forum rated this regional forum as being valuable or highly valuable.
- 3% of respondents would like more resources to support the future integration of CHSP and Home Care packages; 66.67% would like access to more resources for training opportunities.
Participants reported that their involvement in WSCF’s activities had resulted in specific outcomes to some services, including improved planning and collaboration and reform implementation.
There was the suggestion by participants that in future, a separation between sessions specific to Aged Care and Disability could be implemented, to reflect the market and current reforms.
With the Regional forums that WSCF convene, participants felt they provided a valuable opportunity for networking and information-sharing (by over 86% of participants). Access to information updates on aged care and disability reforms was valued by 83% of respondents and access to resources was highly rated by 73%.
Feedback from Survey respondents
“A sharing of ideas”
“…guided group discussions across a broad range of providers allows for better understanding of sector development and sharing ideas to adapt and modify service delivery and business practices, to better service the community”.
